Aberdeen’s Christmas Tree arrives in city

16 November 2015

Aberdeen's Christmas Tree has arrived in the harbour after its 312-mile journey after being gifted from the city's twin town of Stavanger in Norway.

The 35-ft Norwegian Spruce arrived on Sunday on the 6,693-tonne SeaCargo Express regular service from the Scandinavian country, and was lifted onto a flat-bed lorry.

The tree will now wait in Aberdeen Harbour for almost a week while it is inspected by Forestry Commission specialists, and then by Aberdeen City Council's arboricultural team. Extra time is also factored in to the journey in case of adverse weather conditions for the sea crossing.

Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam said: "I'm thrilled the city's Christmas Tree has arrived safety and I'm looking forward to seeing how splendid it will look once decorated and erected in the Castlegate."

The tree will be moved into the Castlegate on Monday 23 November where it will be put up by the City Council's tree squad and safety barriers erected. Over the next couple of days, anti-vandal paint will be painted onto the barriers, the decorations added, and a stage put up and festively decorated.

The Christmas Tree Switch-On ceremony is held on Thursday 26 November and starts at 7pm. The safety barriers are lowered at about this time so people can get up close for photographs but they are re-erected after 8pm.

Hundreds of people including many families are expected to attend the switch-on ceremony, which will be carried out by The Lord Provost of Aberdeen and Deputy Mayor of Stavanger. 2015 is the 25th anniversary of the twinning between the two cities.

More details about the Switch-On Ceremony will be released next week. The Christmas Tree Switch-On Ceremony is part of the Winter Festival which this year is the biggest event Aberdeen has ever had, with festive fun for all - residents and businesses had asked during the Masterplan consultations for bigger events to be held in the city.